Freeman agrees to sign with Vikings
After being courted by eight to 10 teams following his release from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week, quarterback Josh Freeman agreed to a contract with the Minnesota Vikings.
Freeman's agent, Erik Burkhardt, made the announcement Sunday night with a tweet that read simply: "Vikings!!!"
NFL.com reported Freeman will receive a one-year deal worth approximately $3 million.
Freeman's arrival could signal the of Christian Ponder's run as Minnesota's starting quarterback. A 2011 first-round pick, Ponder started 10 games as a rookie, all 16 last year, then the first three games this year before sitting out last week due to a fractured rib. The Vikings were idle Sunday.
Ponder is 12-17 as a starter with a 75.8 passer rating and a 59.2 percent completion rate. He averages 183 passing yards per game, and he has 33 career touchdown passes and 30 interceptions.
The Oakland Raiders were considered to be the favorite for Freeman's services, with the Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers also reportedly in the mix.
The Cleveland Browns, Arizona Cardinals and Green Bay Packers reportedly did not pursue Freeman.
Since Freeman is still owed more than $6 million by the Buccaneers, he was more interested in the scope of the opportunity, the stability and quality of the coaching staff and the amount of interest from the team than financial considerations, according to CBSsports.com.
Freeman lost his job as the Buccaneers' starting quarterback after losing the first three games this year. In five seasons with Tampa Bay, he posted a 24-35 record with a 78.8 passer rating and a 58.2 percent completion rate. His touchdown-to-interception ratio was 80-to-66, and he produced 225.6 passing yards per game.
The NFL Players Association is still investigating last week's leaks about Freeman's participation in the league's drug program. The NFLPA said that Bucs coach Greg Schiano had at least one conversation with Freeman about his drug status, as Freeman decided to be tested at the team facility because of convenience and he said he had nothing to hide. Schiano last week vehemently denied that he leaked the information. The union also alleges that team employees voluntarily gave information to the press about Freeman.
The NFLPA is also appealing fines given to Freeman by the Bucs before they released him. The Bucs fined Freeman for allegedly being late to meetings and for having an "unauthorized" interview with ESPN.
